National Climate Adaptation Expert(s)

Organizational Context

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) promotes inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States, aligning with SDG-9. The Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS) applies strategies for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, and climate action. The Division of Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP) assists Member States in low-carbon and climate-resilient industrialization, accelerating innovation, and building climate innovation ecosystems. The Climate Technology Innovation Unit (TCS/CMP/CTI) supports fostering innovation across technologies, finance, policy, and regulation to promote low-carbon and climate adaptation solutions and business practices.

Job Purpose

To contribute to UNIDO's Climate Adaptation Innovation Portfolio by developing projects that address key environmental challenges and promote sustainable economic growth. This role specifically supports the 'Climate Resilience and Adaptation Facility for Technologies' (CRAFT Zambia) project, aiming to reduce vulnerability and strengthen the resilience of rural households and communities in Zambia to drought, flooding, and extreme heat. This involves increasing demand for locally appropriate adaptation solutions, strengthening MSMEs and local service providers, improving household financial resilience, and expanding access to climate-resilient livelihood opportunities.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the UNIDO Project Manager, the National Climate Adaptation Expert(s) will: 1. Conduct national-level research and analysis to inform the climate rationale, adaptation justification, innovation rationale, project design, and alignment with national priorities. 2. Support stakeholder consultations, coordinate with the Zambia Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MGEE) focal points, and integrate stakeholder, gender, and innovation perspectives into the Full Proposal document package. 3. Contribute technical inputs to the design of adaptation activities, innovation approach, knowledge management, sustainability, results framework, financing justification, and key annexes. 4. Contribute to drafting the proposal materials and provide technical comments, revisions, and inputs to support the completion of the Full Proposal document package.

Work Experience

Required: A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in climate change adaptation, climate resilience, environmental management, sustainable development, or related technical fields. Required: Experience in conducting climate risk, vulnerability, and adaptation needs assessments, including the review and analysis of national climate data, sectoral priorities, policies, strategies, and development plans. Required: Experience in supporting the design of climate adaptation projects or programmes in developing countries, including the formulation of project components, outcomes, outputs, activities, and expected adaptation benefits. Required: Experience in supporting stakeholder consultations with government institutions, vulnerable communities, civil society, private sector actors, research institutions, and/or development partners. Highly Preferred: Experience in preparing technical inputs for climate finance proposals, including climate rationale, adaptation justification, policy alignment, stakeholder engagement, gender considerations, environmental and social risk screening, results frameworks, and sustainability considerations. Desirable: Experience with environmental and social safeguards, including preparation of inputs to Environmental and Social Impact Assessments, Environmental and Social Management Plans, gender assessments, or related risk management documents. Highly Desirable: Experience in supporting the development of proposals for international climate funds, such as the Adaptation Fund, Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility, or similar financing mechanisms. Desirable: Experience working with national government counterparts and supporting alignment of project design with national climate adaptation and development priorities. Highly Desirable: Experience relevant to technical cooperation in Zambia.

Skills

Climate change adaptation and resilience expertise; Environmental management and sustainable development; Climate risk, vulnerability, and adaptation needs assessment; Policy and strategy analysis; Project design and formulation; Stakeholder engagement and consultation; Technical writing and proposal development for climate finance; Environmental and social safeguards; Coordination and collaboration with national government counterparts; Analytical and planning skills; Ability to learn and adapt to new approaches and technologies.

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